••
The Electoral Commission (EC) has confirmed that all arrangements for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primary on January 31 are set. Deputy Director of Research Fred Tetteh announced that ballot printing is complete, with distribution to regional capitals beginning January 27. The EC has secured the voter album for delegates and emphasized strict supervision to maintain the integrity of the process.
This primary will determine the leadership of the largest opposition party as it reorganizes following the 2024 elections. A smooth process is vital for national stability and democratic consolidation.
The performance of frontrunners Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Kennedy Agyapong, and whether the primary concludes without the legal disputes that have characterized recent internal party contests.
Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Chairman of the NPP Council of Elders, has directed all presidential aspirants to disband private security groups or "machomen" ahead of the January 31 primary. At a peace pact signing, he emphasized that the Ghana Police Service has sole responsibility for security at polling stations to prevent intimidation and ensure a harmonious environment.
Private security groups have historically been a source of tension and localized violence during internal party elections in Ghana. This directive aligns with national efforts to de-politicize security and rely on formal state institutions.
Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has alleged that some former NPP appointees may have financed the NDC campaign to avoid corruption prosecution. Meanwhile, Dr. Stephen Amoah has criticized both major parties for failing to invest in research, leading to populist promises that lack data-driven implementation strategies.
These critiques highlight systemic vulnerabilities in Ghana’s governance, specifically the lack of accountability and the gap between political rhetoric and technical feasibility.
The Ghana cedi has officially been ranked as the best-performing currency in Africa for 2025, appreciating over 40% against the US dollar. The IMF credits this turnaround to Bank of Ghana policy measures and reforms under the current IMF program, which pushed international reserves to nearly $14 billion USD by the end of 2025.
This appreciation reduces the cost of living by lowering the price of imported fuel and consumer goods, helping to stabilize inflation which has plagued the economy in recent years.
At the current rate of GHc10.73 (~$1.00 USD), the cedi's strength means that dollar-denominated remittances now buy fewer cedis than in 2024, but those cedis have significantly higher domestic purchasing power.
This is a major green light for the fixed-income market. Sovereign reserves of $14 billion USD provide a substantial buffer against external shocks, reducing the risk of a near-term currency crisis.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has increased the Value Added Tax (VAT) registration threshold from GHc200,000 (~$18,639 USD) to GHc750,000 (~$69,897 USD) per annum. Businesses falling below this new limit will be transitioned to the Modified Tax Scheme (MTS), which offers simplified accounting and lower compliance costs.
This move signals a shift toward a more efficient tax administration, focusing GRA resources on the larger taxpayers who generate 90% of revenue while allowing smaller enterprises to reinvest capital otherwise spent on compliance.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced updated fees: GHc30 (~$2.80 USD) for first-time adult registration and GHc200 (~$18.64 USD) for card replacements. Fees for foreign nationals are pegged at $120 USD for first-time registration and $78 USD for annual renewals.
The Ghana Card is now the primary document for banking, SIM registration, and social security. The fee hike, the first since 2023, is aimed at funding technological upgrades and cybersecurity.
Parliament has passed the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill, positioning Ghana as a regulated hub for digital finance and Open Banking. The new "Virtual Assets Playbook" aims to balance innovation with consumer protection and monetary sovereignty.
This provides legal clarity for fintech companies and blockchain startups, potentially making Ghana the leading West African destination for digital asset investment.
Ghana recorded 14,743 road crashes in 2025, resulting in 2,949 fatalities. The NRSA Director-General, Abraham Amaliba, cited reckless driving and overspeeding as the primary causes. December alone saw 276 deaths. Funding issues have reportedly hampered safety campaigns like "Stay Alive."
Beyond the human tragedy, the economic impact of road accidents—including healthcare costs and loss of labor—is estimated to cost Ghana significant percentages of its annual GDP.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has officially refuted claims that 60% of recruitment applicants tested positive for HIV. Naval Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin urged the public to disregard the misinformation, noting that medical screenings are ongoing and results have not been finalized.
Public trust in the military recruitment process is highly sensitive. False health statistics can cause undue panic and damage the reputation of the security services.
A massive fire at the Sofoline Magazine in Kumasi on January 25 destroyed hundreds of shops and workshops. Over 100 vehicles and significant amounts of spare parts were lost after refuse burning nearby spread to combustible materials. No casualties were reported.
Investigations into the cause and possible support packages for the affected mechanics and small business owners in the Ashanti Region's largest auto hub.
Aston Villa secured a historic 2-0 win at St James' Park, their first victory there since 2005. Goals from Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins kept Villa in third place. The result is a boost for Ghanaian fans following the Premier League, as Villa remains a serious title contender.
Aryna Sabalenka broke Novak Djokovic's record for consecutive Grand Slam tie-break wins (20). Meanwhile, Djokovic advanced to the quarter-finals after Jakub Mensik withdrew. Naomi Osaka also withdrew due to a recurring abdominal injury.
Social media star IShowSpeed has arrived in Ghana for a supercar event at Independence Square. Supported by the Ghana Tourism Authority, his visit is expected to generate significant global visibility for Ghana's youth culture and tourism.
The "Visit Ghana" initiative continues to leverage digital influencers to attract the diaspora and Gen Z travelers, positioning Accra as a key hub for the global creator economy.
Today we covered the cedi's historic 2025 performance, the sobering reality of national road safety statistics, and the final preparations for the NPP presidential primary. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
Have feedback or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you at info@ghananews.ai